Recent Obituaries

History & Staff

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

Our History

Rupell Funeral Home L.L.C. is dedicated to providing services to the
families of Phillipsburg with care and compassion.

For over 55 years the community has trusted Rupell Funeral Home L.L.C. with
helping them plan the celebrations of lives lived.

We serve every family in the Phillipsburg community with great pride. We are
able to offer a wide range of services to meet your families needs and customs.
We will listen to you and your wishes to help plan a celebration consistent
with your expectations. We will take the time to plan every detail and help to
relieve the burden on your family during your time of loss.

Our website contains information about our caring staff, our services and links
to resources to help you get through this tough time. Please call us to see how
we can help.

Our Valued Staff

Lewis E. Rupell, Owner/Retired

Lewis E. Rupell, New Jersey Funeral Director License #2023 (Inactive), became licensed in 1950. He is a 1949 graduate of The McAllister School of Embalming, New York, New York. Mr. Rupell worked in his early years at Devoe Funeral Home in Washington, New Jersey from 1946 to 1954. In 1954, he moved to Phillipsburg and became Manager of the Ford-Rupell Funeral Home on Summit Avenue from 1954 to 1958. In 1958 he purchased the funeral home from Ford and began the Rupell Funeral Home. In the winter of 1969, Mr. Rupell bought the Hagerty Colonial Home and this is now the current Rupell Funeral Home, L.L.C. on Memorial Parkway.

Through the years, Lewis has been involved in many organizations. He was a two term Coroner for Warren County in the 1960's; he is a member of the Phillipsburg Exchange Club where he had been a past president; member of Phillipsburg Lodge #52 F&AM where he was Past Master in 1964, and Past District Deputy Grand Master from 1965 to 1970; he is a member of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon; he was the first Lay Person to be President of the Phillipsburg Area Council of Churches; he is a member of Wesley United Methodist Church where he has been Communion Steward for 50 years; member of the Scottish Rite Valley Central Jersey; he is a veteran of WWII-European Theatre; Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars where he was past commander; and a member of Mecsey-Bishop American Legion Post #456 of Stewartsville, NJ. In January 2013, Mr. Rupell retired after 63 years in the funeral industry.

Mr. Rupell lives in Phillipsburg, has three daughters, seven grandchildren, six great-granddaughters and three great-grandsons.

Amanda H. Shepherd, Manager/ Funeral Director

Amanda Duncan Shepherd, New Jersey Funeral Director License #4297, became licensed in 1997. She received her Associate of Applied Science degree from Northampton Community College, Bethlehem, PA, where she is currently serving on the Alumni Board. She is a member of Palmer Moravian Church, Palmer Twp., PA where she is currently serving on The Board of Trustees, the Christian Education Committee, the Stewardship Committee and is a member of the Hilltop Ringers Bell Choir. Amanda was born and raised in Phillipsburg, and is a 1993 Graduate of Phillipsburg High School. Amanda, her husband, Tim, their daughter, Amri Amanda, and son, Sawyer Timothy, live in Palmer Township, PA.

Newal W. Duncan, Funeral Director

Newal W. Duncan, New Jersey Funeral Director License #3456, became licensed in 1979. He received his Associate in Applied Science degree from Mercer County Community College, Trenton. He is a member of Wesley United Methodist Church where he is on the Board of Trustees, member of Phillipsburg Lodge #52, F&AM, member of the Tall Cedars, member Mecsey-Bishop Post#456 of Stewartsville, NJ, Navy Veteran-Vietnam Era, member of the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association and the Tri-County Funeral Directors Association, past member and Vice President of the Phillipsburg Chapter of the American Red Cross, past trustee in the Phillipsburg Rotary Club. Newal, and his wife, Hope, live in Phillipsburg. They have 3 children, 5 grand-daughters and 2 grandsons.

Hope Rupell Duncan, Office Manager

Hope Rupell Duncan is the office manager and Co-Owner of the Funeral Home. She is the daughter of Lewis E. Rupell, wife of Funeral Director Newal W. Duncan, and mother to Funeral Director Amanda Duncan Shepherd and Wade Duncan (Supportive Staff). She is a native of Phillipsburg, graduating from PHS in 1969, attends St. Luke's Episcopal Church of Phillipsburg, member of Mecsey-Bishop Post#456, Stewartsville, NJ, Navy Veteran- Vietnam Era and serves on various committees for Relay for Life, Phillipsburg. Hope became Office Manager in 1995 and takes care of all the "bookwork" of the Funeral Home. (Unlicensed and not qualified to make funeral arrangements, embalm, or conduct funerals.)